Wheel balancing apparatus



FA LIL. HA TCH P.- F. HATCH WHEEL BALANCING APPARATUS Fzrled May 13, 1937 Patented Oct. 31;;1939

" uu1risnaiisrArasPATENT orncs WHEEL ammo Arrmrus rni'r. Hatch, Ypsilanti, men, assignor to Barley C. Loney Company, Detroit, Mich., a cor notation of Michigan Application May 13,

4 Claims.

This invention relates'to wheel balancing apparatus and more particularly to a device for I sigsportingthewheel for free rotation about its In supporting modern automotive vehicle wheels for free rotation so that the heavy point may be determined and balancing weights applied in any of the usual ways it' is necessary that An object of the invention is to provide a wheel support which may be readily secured to the hub portion of the wheel.

Another object of the invention is to provide a wheel support having a plurality of pins for engag with the hub portion of a vehicle wheel.

Still another object or the invention is to provide a plurality of pins for centering a wheel about an axis of rotation and means for clamping a wheel against the pins.

These and other objects will become apparent when taken with the accompanying drawing in which I Fig. tie a perspective view of the balancing apparatus,

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a second form of a portion of the balancing apparatus,

Fig. 3 is an end view of a wheel supported'on the centering device of the balancing apparatus; and

Fig. 4 is a front view of a wheel supported on the centering device of the balancing apparatus.

Referring particularly to the drawing the reference character i indicates a base in whichthe lofiancing device is supported. The base i is provided with bores 2 through which bolts or screws may be passed tor securing it to awall or side of a bench. The base I which preferably is a casting has an integral laterally projecting socket t in which is received a cylindrical sleeve therewith or separate. Also mounted on the 1937, Serial No. 142,331 (01. 144-285;)

spindle 'l is the wheel centering device which comprises a disc 9 having a central opening l through which the spindle 1 passes, and a plurality of wheel engaging pins H. lhepins II are each mounted adjacent the end of arms l2 which are in turn pivoted by pins l3 to the disc 9 on an imaginary circle having its center at the center ofithe disc 9. Each pin I3 is rigidly secured to its respective arm l2, isthreaded and has disposed on the threaded portion, projecting from the opposite side of thedisc 9 from the arms I 2, a wing nut M for the pu'rpose o! clamping the respective arms i2 in adjusted positions. The pins i3 are equally spaced about the imaginary circle on which they are disposed.

It will be obvious from the description. thus far that the wheel engaging pins H may be pivoted about the pins l3 and that by so moving them they may be placed on imaginary concentric circles of a great many different diameters varying from the smallest when the arms I2 are directed radially inwardly from the pins l3 to the largest when the arms 32 are directed radially outwardly from the pins i3 and that for each circular position of the pins it they will be equally spaced about the imaginary circles. Also the imaginary circles-will havens their center the center of the disc 9. r

The outer ends of the wheel engaging pins ii are tapered for engagement with the usual holes with which wheel hubs are provided for receiving mounting studs. As shown in Fig. 1 three pins are provided making this particular centering device applicable for use on wheels having three mounting stud receiving holes or any multiple of three. However, as shown in Fig. 2 any number of wheel engagi g pins Ii may be provided, the form shown in Fig. 2 having five pins 5 i mounted on arms it which are pivoted on a disc 15 provided with a spindle receiving opening it. In using the present invention for balancing a wheel the wheel is placed one side down on the floor or a bench, the disc 9 together with the arms i2 and pins H is placed over the hub thereof and the pins H are disposed in the openings l1 provided for receiving mounting studs. When the pins H have been thus located the wing nuts M are tightened clamping the arms l2 carrying the pins Ii in adjusted position. The disc 9 is then removed from its position on the hub and slipped over the end of the spindle 1, the spindle l passing through the opening [0 in the center of the disc 9 and the back side ofthe disc 9 on which the wing nuts H are disposed abutting against the collar 9. The wheel is then positioned adjacent the disc pivoted at one end to a body portion 22 having a I central opening 23 for slidably receiving a spindle I. The free end of each arm 2| is tapered and provided with a central notch 24. In use the arms H are angularly adjusted with respect to the spindle 1 until the notches 24 or tapered ends engage with some part oi the wheel or rim. Thus referring to Fig. 3 the notches 24 might engage with the outside corner 25 of the telly or the tapered ends might engage with the inside corner 26 of the rim. The outer end of the spindle 'I has a threaded portion 21 on which is threaded a nut 20 for urging the clamping member 20 against the wheel mounted on the pins ii. The thrust from the nut 2| is directed through the wheel to the pins ll and through the pins i I and the disc 8 to the collar 8 whereby the wheel is rigidly disposed with respect to the spindle I. As the spindle I is mounted in the bearings 6 for free rotation the entire wheel may rotate freely resulting in the heavy side moving to the bottom thereby providing an indication of the correct position for the balancing weight or weights.

The arms 2| are diametrically opposite each other with respect to the spindle 1 in order that only two arms will be needed for clamping the wheel in centered position and that the centering and balancing apparatus may be inherently balanced. Of course, more than two equally spaced arms could be used. A washer 29 is provided for disposition between the clamping member 20 and the nut 28.

As is shown in Fig. 3 the tapered ends 0! the pins ll seat within the openings i1 thereby providing a firm support so that the clamping member 20 when urged against the wheel by the nut 20 may hold the wheel rigidly with respect to and perpendicularly to the spindle 1.

Having thus described my invention what I desire to secure by Letters Patent and claim is:

l. A device of the character described for supporting a vehicle wheel having a hub portion and a plurality 0! holes therein for rotation about its axis, comprising supporting means, a plurality of arms pivoted to said supporting means, a tapered pin secured to each oi! said am and projecting laterally in the same direction for engagement with said holes, said arms being pivotable in a plane normal to the rotative axis of the wheel, said supporting means and pins being vfor the centering o! the wheel about its axis, and a freely rotatable spindle upon which said supporting means is carried.

2. A device of the character described for supporting a vehicle wheel having a hub portion and a plurality 01' holes therein for rotation about its axis, comprising a freely rotatable spindle, supporting means mounted on said spindle, a plurality of arms pivoted to said spindle, a tapered pin mounted on each arm and projecting laterally in one direction Ior'engagement with the holes in said wheel and for centering said wheel with respect to the axis of rotation of said spindle, said arms being pivotable in a plane normal to therotative axis of the wheel, and means for clamping the wheel on said pins whereby the wheel is rigidly supported with respect to said spindlefor i'ree rotation therewith.

3. As an article of manufacture, an adapter for wheel balancing fixtures, comprising a supporting plate having a central aperture to receive a spindle, a plurality 01 supporting and centering pins having tapered .seat portions adapted to partially project through the bolt holes of a wheel hub so as to collectively provide a central and supporting abutment for the wheel, swinging link members of equal length upon which said pins are mounted, and pivotal connections between said members and said plate, said pivotal connections being spaced about a common circle.

4. A wheel balancing fixture for mounting vehicle wheels through the bolt holes in the hubs, comprising a freely rotatable spindle, mounting pins in acircle having tapered seat portions 01' a size adapted to extend'only part way through the bolt holes in the hub so as to provide a centering and supporting abutment in both radial and axial directions, supporting structure for said pins carried upon said spindle and disposing said seat portions in a plane normal to the axis of rotation of said spindle, and a clamp upon said spindle and positionable upon the opposite side of the wheel from said supporting structure for clamping the wheel upon said seat portions. I

PAUL F. HATCH. 

